EXCELLENCE a tradition of

Specializing in everything from broken bones to arthritic joints to aching feet, Florida Musculoskeletal Institute has offered Leesburg and The Villages the region’s most technologically advanced, comprehensive and compassionate care for more than 30 years. FMI’s doctors have provided dramatic and lasting relief from pain and dysfunction to thousands of patients throughout Central Florida, and even many who have traveled from outside the state to take advantage of FMI’s renowned reputation, technology and expertise. First established in 1983 as Lake Centre for Orthopaedics, the practice changed its name when it expanded its list of services in 1998. The majority of FMI’s business has come from ongoing patient loyalty and enthusiastic referrals, which attests to the therapeutic success and skill of FMI’s doctors, and to the aptness of the practice’s philosophy that improving patients’ lives requires the right combination of cutting-edge orthopaedic techniques, customized surgery and proven-effective care.

“The growth and longevity of this practice has come from taking the time to listen to patients and treat each case personally,” says Dr. Andrew Huntt, one of FMI’s founding physicians.

“We think it is common sense to investigate breakthroughs and trends, but to employ only those that are proven to work and apply them based on individual circumstances. We have established the right blend of state-ofthe-art equipment and procedures with good bedside manner. The fact that our patients’ family members and friends seek us out is testament to our approach’s effectiveness.”

Another member of FMI’s talented team of physicians is Dr. Carl Ollivierre, an orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in sports medicine, total knee and hip replacement, as well as anterior approach hip replacement, which is a revolutionary procedure providing a smaller incision, a lower complication rate, and a quicker recovery than traditional hip replacement procedures.

“The recent advances in medicine are exciting,” says Dr. Ollivierre. “I thoroughly explore every new technique that shows promise and abandon any that seem more like novelties than good medicine. Lots of fads may provide some fleeting help, but we don’t consider a procedure effective until it proves to be successful over the long term.”

The large number of patients suffering from foot and ankle problems inspired FMI to welcome podiatrist Dr. Chad Watkins to the practice in 1999. Dr. Watkins specializes in treatments designed to relieve pain syndromes such as plantar fasciitis, tendonitis, bunions and hammertoes. Says Dr. Watkins, “I think it’s important to have a podiatrist and orthopaedic surgeons in the same practice. Oftentimes people with foot pain may develop a limp that aggravates their hips or knees. After I help rid them of foot pain, I can refer them to one of our doctors to help treat their hip or knee pain, which is a great convenience.”

The board-certified physicians of FMI perform a variety of orthopaedic and podiatric surgeries, including partial and full joint replacement, fracture and soft tissue repair, foot pain treatments and specialized surgeries such as anterior-approach hip replacement and gender knee replacement.

However, patients can rest assured that every technique and surgery the doctors employ are proven to work long term. “We provide only truly effective surgeries and non-surgical treatments,” says Dr. John Cowin, another of FMI’s founding physicians. “We don’t push fad surgeries that aren’t shown to provide lasting relief. Other practices may fi nd it acceptable, but we don’t believe in taking advantage of people’s pain to make a buck.”

Adds Dr. Ollivierre, “Surgery works only when it’s the right surgery for a particular patient. We specialize in and utilize only established procedures that are genuinely successful for most people.”

FMI has two convenient locations. The Leesburg office is at 600 N. Blvd. West; phone number 352.728.3000. The Villages office is at 910 Old Camp Road, Building 110, Suite 112; phone number 352.753.4366. Please call for more information or visit FMI on the web at www.bonesandmuscles.com.